Under raging storm clouds, a lone figure stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. The vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stares down a sheer cliff at the village below. A cold, bitter wind spins dead leaves about him, billowing his cape in the darkness.
Lightning splits the clouds overhead, casting stark white light across him. Strahd turns to the sky, revealing the angular muscles of his face and hands. He has a look of power — and of madness. His once handsome face is contorted by a tragedy darker than the night itself.
Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as Strahd turns his gaze back to the village. Far below, yet not beyond his ken, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms a twisted smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they have come — all according to his plan. He, the master of Ravenloft, will attend to them.
Another lightning flash rips through the darkness, its thunder echoing through the castle’s towers. But Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind — or perhaps a lone wolf — fills the midnight air. The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.
To a party of seasoned adventurers such as yourselves, what you see is but another dull tavern in another dull town in some nameless province. It is but another span of time between the challenges of true adventuring. Outside the tavern, a fog lies over the town this evening. The damp, cobbled pavement glistens as the lights of street lanterns dance across the slick stones. The fog chills the bones and shivers the soul of anyone outside. Yet inside these tavern walls the food is hearty, and the ale is warm and frothy. A fire blazes in the hearth, and the tavern is alive with the tumbling voices of country folk.
Suddenly, the tavern door swings open, and a hush falls over the room. Framed by the lamp-lit fog, a form strides through the doorway. His heavy, booted footfalls and the jingle of his coins shatter the silence. His brightly colored clothes are draped in loose folds about him, and his hat hangs askew, hiding his eyes in shadows. Without hesitation, he walks up to your table and stands proudly in a wide stance with folded arms.
In an accented voice he says, “I have been sent to you to deliver this message. If you be creatures of honor, you will come to my master’s aid at first light. It is not advisable to travel the Svalich Woods at night!” He pulls from his tunic a sealed letter, addressed to all of you in beautiful flowing script. He drops the letter on the table. “Take the west road from here some five hours march down through the Svalich Woods. There you will find my master in Barovia.”
Amid the silent stares of the patronage, the ***** strides to the bar and says to the wary barkeep, “Fill the glasses, one and all. Their throats are obviously parched.” He drops a purse heavy with gold on the bar. With that, he leaves. The babble of tavern voices resumes, although somewhat subdued. The letter is lying before you. The seal is in the shape of a crest you don’t recognize.
"Well look at that! How did he know we would all be at this table together?!? What is going on here? Either way, I'll take the drink. I must replenish my precious bodily fluids after blowing on the old horn all night. What do you all think? Should we open it?"
Eldon lifted his mug to his face and just drank as the man walked in - his eyes following as he approached there table. He just quietly listened and smiled as the man asked for their help, what a great chance that Pelor had brought them. He just held out his hand "I'll gladly help anyone in need and help spread the Sun Father's light. Sit and share more of your story with us."
Cinna listened to the message in silence and watched the reactions of the others. She picked up the envelope and admired the beautiful script, then held it up for the others to see. "Shall I?"
Xavice watched the odd mans movements as he spoke, checking for signs of suspiscion. Xavice takes him as trust worthy and takes a drawn out sip of water before gently placing his glass down on the coaster. Briefly, he examines the seal to check if he could recognise the odd sign, but to no avail. “Please, go ahead”
Unfortunately, neither of you are able to recall any information regarding this insignia or the identity of Kolyan Indirovich other than what's been provided already.
"Does this symbol look familiar to anyone else? What about the name...Kole Ann Indyroevik...Kole Ley An Indy Roe Vich? I don't even know how to say it!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Eldon just listened to his party members talk "I've never heard of this Barovia place or Burgomaster." He looked at the symbol and inspected it trying to recall if he had ever seen this in the text he read related to religious organizations or cults (Religion: 6).
IC: Despite Eldon's religious expertise, he's still not familiar with the origins of the crest nor does he recall information regarding the Burgomaster of Barovia. The man can be seen outside the tavern as the door was kept open. He glances briefly inside the tavern before riding away swiftly on his noble steed through the dusk of night, departing west.
OOC: First nat 20 and it's absolutely useless, lol XD. As for the man on the horse is that the ***** or a new figure to us all together?
IC: Eldon just shrugged look at the symbol "I can't recognize this symbol as religious in anyway." His glance is drawn towards the man on the horse taking in whatever features he could "My friend I know the man has said to travel under the protection of the sun, but that seems very odd." He said nodding to the man on the horse looking into the tavern, he just stands up and looks at his companions "Pelor will protect us no matter what. Should we follow that very odd man?"
Xavice feels somewhat uneasy at the idea of leaving before sunset. He doesn’t want to be a source of conflict so he stays silent and waits to see the reactions of the other adventurers.
Cinna lays the message on the table. "If we know nothing of these things and the man said to wait until day, I think it would be wise to heed his advice. I will go, but I say we all leave at first light."
Eldon just smiled and raised his finger to signal the bar-maiden "Another round please miss." He just sat down and looked at all of his companions "Then we proceed tomorrow at first light and drink the rest of the night away, my friends. May Pelor guide our journey and ensure his will is done through us."
Under raging storm clouds, a lone figure stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. The vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stares down a sheer cliff at the village below. A cold, bitter wind spins dead leaves about him, billowing his cape in the darkness.
Lightning splits the clouds overhead, casting stark white light across him. Strahd turns to the sky, revealing the angular muscles of his face and hands. He has a look of power — and of madness. His once handsome face is contorted by a tragedy darker than the night itself.
Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as Strahd turns his gaze back to the village. Far below, yet not beyond his ken, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms a twisted smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they have come — all according to his plan. He, the master of Ravenloft, will attend to them.
Another lightning flash rips through the darkness, its thunder echoing through the castle’s towers. But Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind — or perhaps a lone wolf — fills the midnight air. The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.
To a party of seasoned adventurers such as yourselves, what you see is but another dull tavern in another dull town in some nameless province. It is but another span of time between the challenges of true adventuring. Outside the tavern, a fog lies over the town this evening. The damp, cobbled pavement glistens as the lights of street lanterns dance across the slick stones. The fog chills the bones and shivers the soul of anyone outside. Yet inside these tavern walls the food is hearty, and the ale is warm and frothy. A fire blazes in the hearth, and the tavern is alive with the tumbling voices of country folk.
Suddenly, the tavern door swings open, and a hush falls over the room. Framed by the lamp-lit fog, a form strides through the doorway. His heavy, booted footfalls and the jingle of his coins shatter the silence. His brightly colored clothes are draped in loose folds about him, and his hat hangs askew, hiding his eyes in shadows. Without hesitation, he walks up to your table and stands proudly in a wide stance with folded arms.
In an accented voice he says, “I have been sent to you to deliver this message. If you be creatures of honor, you will come to my master’s aid at first light. It is not advisable to travel the Svalich Woods at night!” He pulls from his tunic a sealed letter, addressed to all of you in beautiful flowing script. He drops the letter on the table. “Take the west road from here some five hours march down through the Svalich Woods. There you will find my master in Barovia.”
Amid the silent stares of the patronage, the ***** strides to the bar and says to the wary barkeep, “Fill the glasses, one and all. Their throats are obviously parched.” He drops a purse heavy with gold on the bar. With that, he leaves. The babble of tavern voices resumes, although somewhat subdued. The letter is lying before you. The seal is in the shape of a crest you don’t recognize.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
"Well look at that! How did he know we would all be at this table together?!? What is going on here? Either way, I'll take the drink. I must replenish my precious bodily fluids after blowing on the old horn all night. What do you all think? Should we open it?"
Eldon lifted his mug to his face and just drank as the man walked in - his eyes following as he approached there table. He just quietly listened and smiled as the man asked for their help, what a great chance that Pelor had brought them. He just held out his hand "I'll gladly help anyone in need and help spread the Sun Father's light. Sit and share more of your story with us."
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
Cinna listened to the message in silence and watched the reactions of the others. She picked up the envelope and admired the beautiful script, then held it up for the others to see. "Shall I?"
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Xavice watched the odd mans movements as he spoke, checking for signs of suspiscion. Xavice takes him as trust worthy and takes a drawn out sip of water before gently placing his glass down on the coaster. Briefly, he examines the seal to check if he could recognise the odd sign, but to no avail. “Please, go ahead”
Cinna gently unseals the letter and begins to read the flowing script.
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Upon further inspection of the letter, you'll notice an ornate seal.
Once opened, the letter's contents will be as follows:
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Kestrell thinks for a moment. "Has anyone heard of this Burgomaster gent? How about this seal, anyone seen it before?"
Kestrell performs a history check on the seal History 2
"Nope, I've never seen it before. Anyone else? Who's good with history?"
Xavice squints further at one last attempt to recognise the insignia.
History: 7
Unfortunately, neither of you are able to recall any information regarding this insignia or the identity of Kolyan Indirovich other than what's been provided already.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
"Does this symbol look familiar to anyone else? What about the name...Kole Ann Indyroevik...Kole Ley An Indy Roe Vich? I don't even know how to say it!"
Eldon just listened to his party members talk "I've never heard of this Barovia place or Burgomaster." He looked at the symbol and inspected it trying to recall if he had ever seen this in the text he read related to religious organizations or cults (Religion: 6).
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
OOC: Nice nat 20.
IC: Despite Eldon's religious expertise, he's still not familiar with the origins of the crest nor does he recall information regarding the Burgomaster of Barovia. The man can be seen outside the tavern as the door was kept open. He glances briefly inside the tavern before riding away swiftly on his noble steed through the dusk of night, departing west.
Will the adventurer's follow in pursuit?
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
OOC: First nat 20 and it's absolutely useless, lol XD. As for the man on the horse is that the ***** or a new figure to us all together?
IC: Eldon just shrugged look at the symbol "I can't recognize this symbol as religious in anyway." His glance is drawn towards the man on the horse taking in whatever features he could "My friend I know the man has said to travel under the protection of the sun, but that seems very odd." He said nodding to the man on the horse looking into the tavern, he just stands up and looks at his companions "Pelor will protect us no matter what. Should we follow that very odd man?"
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
OOC: Yeah it's the *****, just notating his departure.
DM: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Kestrell tosses back his bourbon, sets the empty glass down on the table. "Yes, it sounds like someone is in distress. Let's do it!"
Kestrell pulls out a candle, and with a murmur and a flick of his hands lights it with Prestidigitation. "Does anyone need light?"
Xavice feels somewhat uneasy at the idea of leaving before sunset. He doesn’t want to be a source of conflict so he stays silent and waits to see the reactions of the other adventurers.
Cinna lays the message on the table. "If we know nothing of these things and the man said to wait until day, I think it would be wise to heed his advice. I will go, but I say we all leave at first light."
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Xavice, reassured that someone agrees, too declares his thoughts. "Indeed, it would be foolish to ignore the man's warnings"
Eldon just smiled and raised his finger to signal the bar-maiden "Another round please miss." He just sat down and looked at all of his companions "Then we proceed tomorrow at first light and drink the rest of the night away, my friends. May Pelor guide our journey and ensure his will is done through us."
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9